EP0400846A2 - Ventil für Flüssigkeiten - Google Patents
Ventil für Flüssigkeiten Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0400846A2 EP0400846A2 EP90305387A EP90305387A EP0400846A2 EP 0400846 A2 EP0400846 A2 EP 0400846A2 EP 90305387 A EP90305387 A EP 90305387A EP 90305387 A EP90305387 A EP 90305387A EP 0400846 A2 EP0400846 A2 EP 0400846A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- actuating shaft
- operating stem
- ball
- actuating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K41/00—Spindle sealings
- F16K41/10—Spindle sealings with diaphragm, e.g. shaped as bellows or tube
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
- F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
- F16K31/50—Mechanical actuating means with screw-spindle or internally threaded actuating means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
- F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
- F16K31/52—Mechanical actuating means with crank, eccentric, or cam
Definitions
- the invention relates to valves having improved operators.
- the invention is particularly suited for use in bellows type valves and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, the invention is capable of broader application and could be incorporated in many different types of valves.
- Corrugated bellows members formed from metal provide a highly efficient method of sealing valve chambers. Bellows-sealed valves are well known and widely used when hermetically sealing and/or the elimination of mechanical seals is desired.
- the metal bellows members used for valve sealing have a long life. Generally they are capable of undergoing a very large number of operating cycles so long as they are subjected to only axial extension and contraction and are not also subjected to torque.
- An object of the invention is to overcome the problems discussed above and to provide a valve and actuating assembly which substantially eliminates torque transmission between a rotary actuator and the valve element while also eliminating backlash.
- a valve which comprises a main body that defines a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat located therebetween. Positioned in the valve chamber is a valve element having an operating stem with a free end extending therefrom. Actuating means are provided for moving the valve element towards and away from the seat.
- the actuating means include a rotatably mounted actuating shaft having a free end facing and axially aligned with the free end of the operating stem. Means are provided for optionally producing axial movement of the actuating shaft.
- connecting means are provided for joining the operating stem to the actuating shaft.
- the connecting means includes a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of the operating stem and the actuating shaft. A spring means is engaged with the first ball member and acts to bias the free ends of the operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart.
- retaining means are provided for preventing axial separation of the free ends while permitting free relative rotation.
- the retaining means comprises second ball means which may include a plurality of second ball members located between the operating stem and the actuating shaft at a location radially outwardly of the first ball member.
- the second ball members be carried in openings formed about one or the other of the actuating shaft and the operating stem and that they engage in a circumferentially extending groove formed in the other of the operating stem and actuating stem shaft. It is further desirable for the second ball members to be equally spaced circumferentially of the axis of the first ball member at a location radially spaced therefrom.
- the combination of the first ball member and its associated compression spring acts to permit axial force to be transmitted between the actuating shaft and the operating stem.
- the retaining means such as the second ball members and their interconnection between the operating stem and the actuating shaft, allows tension forces to be carried by the connection between the operating stem and the actuating shaft.
- the overall combination of the elements does, however, substantially eliminate the transmission of torque between the rotatable actuating shaft and the axially driven operating stem.
- the means for moving the actuating shaft can be of a variety of types.
- the actuating shaft can be a simple rotary actuator with external threads for producing the desired axial movement.
- various types of toggle and lever arrangements can be used to produce axial movement with a lesser component of rotary movement.
- one object of the invention is the provision of a valve actuating system which is particularly useful in bellows type valves for eliminating backlash and torque trnsmission between a rotary actuating shaft and a linearly movable operating stem.
- a further object is the provision of a connecting and force transmission system for use in valve operators wherein all of the axial forces are transmitted through rotary mounted ball members which are maintained under a bias to eliminate backlash.
- a still further object is the provision of a system of the type described which is relatively simple and highly reliable.
- Fig. 1 illustrates a bellows type valve 10 incorporating a body and valve housing assembly 12 carrying a rotary type manual actuator assembly 14.
- the valve body and housing assembly 12 could have a variety of constructions and arrangements but, in the illustrated embodiment, is the same as shown in US-A-4,687,017.
- the body and housing assembly 12 comprises a main body 16 having a substantially cylindrical valve chamber 18 and inlet and outlet passages 20, 22.
- a valve element 24 mounted axially within the valve chamber 18 is a valve element 24 having a substantially cylindrical shape and carrying a replaceable valve tip member 26 arranged to cooperate with a seat 28. Movement of the valve element 24 is accomplished through a stem 30 which extends axially from the valve chamber 18. Movement of the stem 30 is guided by a sleeve bearing 32 carried in a gland member 34.
- sealing of the valve chamber 18 is accomplished by a metal bellows member 36 which has its lower end joined at 38 to the inner end of the valve element 24. Preferably the joining is accomplished through a weld.
- the upper end of the bellows is likewise welded or otherwise positively joined at 40 to the inner end of the sealing gland 34.
- a seal between the gland 34 and the upper end of body 16 is provided by a bead 42 which engages a suitable sealing surface formed circumferentially about the upper end of the valve chamber 18.
- the gland member 34 is clamped into sealing position and held in proper alignment with the valve chamber by a bonnet member 44 and a bonnet nut 46.
- cooperating flanges 48, 50 are formed on the bonnet 44 and the bonnet nut 46 respectively.
- Threads 52 are formed internally of the nut 46 and are engaged with external threads 54 formed about the upper end of the body 16.
- axial movement of the valve member 24 to move the valve tip 26 into and out of engagement with the seat 28 is accomplished through the manual actuator 14 which comprises an actuating shaft 58 terminating in an outer free end to which is connected an operating handle 60.
- the operating handle 60 is releasably connected through the use of a set screw 62 which engages with a flat 64 formed on the upper end of the actuating shaft 58.
- Rotary movement of the handle 60 is converted to axial movement through cooperating threads 66 and 68 formed about the enlarged lower exterior of the shaft 58 and the interior of the bonnet 44 respectively.
- a seal and guide ring 70 is carried in the upper end of the bonnet and retained therein by an inwardly extending flange 72.
- the guide and seal ring 70 serves to contain a lubricant sealed within the bonnet to maintain the cooperating threads 66, 68 properly lubricated.
- connection used in the illustrated valve comprises a first rigid ball 80 which is carried within an inwardly extending and axially aligned cylindrical opening 82 formed in the enlarged lower end of the actuating shaft 58.
- the ball 80 is arranged to engage against a conical surface 84 formed at the inner end of the opening 82.
- a relatively heavy coil spring 86 is carried within a small diameter bore 88 formed in the shaft 58 inwardly of ball 80.
- the spring 86 maintains a continual axial bias against the ball 80 acting to move it in a direction towards the upper end 90 of the operating stem 30.
- the upper end 90 of the operating stem 30 is sized so as to be closely received within the inwardly extending cylindrical bore 82.
- the end of stem 30 has a somewhat conical depression 92 which is engaged by the ball 80.
- the action of spring 86 maintains the ball in contact with the conical depression 92 and allows axial forces to be transmitted between the actuating shaft 58 and the operating stem 30.
- a positive axial connection between the operating stem 30 and the actuating shaft 58 is maintained by a set of second balls 94 which are positioned axially outwardly of the axis of ball 80 as illustrated in Fig. 3.
- the balls 94 engage in a continuous peripheral groove 96 formed circumferentially about the upper end of stem 30. They are maintained in the groove 96 by being received through openings 98 formed through the wall of the inner end of actuating shaft 58.
- a circumferentially extending sleeve 100 is closely received on the end of actuating shaft 58 and is retained in position by a circumferentially extending snap ring or the like 102.
- the arrangement of the balls 94 assures that there is a direct and positive connection between actuating shaft 58 and operating stem 30 for conducting forces and producing simultaneous axial movement between the actuating shaft 58 and the operating stem 30.
- the arrangement is clearly such that free relative rotational movment can take place between the two components and no torque or rotary movement will be conducted therebetween.
- the arrangement of the compression spring 86 assures that backlash or lost motion will be maintained at a minimum during reversing movement of the actuating shaft 58.
- Fig. 2 illustrates the invention as applied to a toggle type valve actuator.
- like reference numerals differentiated by a prime suffix have been used to illustrate the same or corresponding parts as those previously discussed with reference to Fig. 1 embodiment.
- New or modified elements are identified with new numerals.
- the actuating shaft 58′ has a reduced diameter upper end portion 110 which extends through a suitable guide element 112 carried in the upper end of bonnet 44′.
- the actuating shaft 58′ is maintained under a continuous downward bias by a relatively heavy compression spring 114 received about the exterior of the actuating shaft 58′.
- the lower end of spring 114 engages against a shoulder 116 formed on actuating shaft 58′.
- the upper end of the spring 114 engages as shown against the inwardly extending flange 72 on the upper end of bonnet 44′. This continually biases the valve element 24′ and the valve tip 26′ towards a closed position relative to the valve seat 28′.
- the means for moving the valve stem 30′ in a direction to move the valve 24′ away from the seat 28′ comprises a toggle handle 118 which is connected to the upper end of portion 110 of actuating shaft 58′ by a transversely extending pivot pin 120.
- the toggle handle 118 includes a camming surface 122 which is arranged to engage the upper surface of guide 112 when toggle handle 118 is pivoted to the dotted line position.
- the camming surface 122 is arranged to cause the actuating shaft 58′ to be pulled upwardly.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
- Taps Or Cocks (AREA)
- Details Of Valves (AREA)
- Lift Valve (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/354,616 US4911412A (en) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-05-19 | Valves with improved actuators |
US354616 | 1989-05-19 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0400846A2 true EP0400846A2 (de) | 1990-12-05 |
EP0400846A3 EP0400846A3 (de) | 1991-02-27 |
EP0400846B1 EP0400846B1 (de) | 1994-08-10 |
Family
ID=23394166
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90305387A Expired - Lifetime EP0400846B1 (de) | 1989-05-19 | 1990-05-18 | Ventil für Flüssigkeiten |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4911412A (de) |
EP (1) | EP0400846B1 (de) |
JP (1) | JPH0379872A (de) |
CA (1) | CA2016924A1 (de) |
DE (1) | DE69011420T2 (de) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1046809A2 (de) * | 1999-04-20 | 2000-10-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fluiddosiervorrichtung |
US8333307B2 (en) | 2009-10-06 | 2012-12-18 | Nordson Corporation | Liquid dispensing module |
US9377114B2 (en) | 2012-04-25 | 2016-06-28 | Nordson Corporation | Pressure control valve for reactive adhesives |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3106366B2 (ja) * | 1991-02-26 | 2000-11-06 | 清原 まさ子 | 流体制御器 |
US6821773B1 (en) | 1992-07-09 | 2004-11-23 | Nl Technologies, Ltd. | Drainable ferrule valve design |
US5296197A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 1994-03-22 | Nl Technologies, Limited | Automated sample extractor or feeder/inoculator for bioreactors and similar equipment |
US6133022A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 2000-10-17 | Nl Technologies, Limited | Automated sample extractor or feeder/inoculator for bioreactors and similar equipment |
TW244368B (de) * | 1992-11-06 | 1995-04-01 | Fujikin Kk | |
US5407173A (en) * | 1994-03-02 | 1995-04-18 | The Lincoln Electric Company | Valve for gas burning torch |
US5725198A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1998-03-10 | Ohmeda Inc. | Non-rotating needle valve |
JP3435077B2 (ja) * | 1998-09-16 | 2003-08-11 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | ベローズ式圧力応動弁 |
US7389792B2 (en) * | 1998-12-24 | 2008-06-24 | Nl Technologies, Ltd. | Dip tube valve assembly |
JP3949379B2 (ja) | 1998-12-24 | 2007-07-25 | エヌエル テクノロジーズ リミテッド | ディップチューブ弁アセンブリ |
US6905108B2 (en) * | 2001-11-15 | 2005-06-14 | Fisher Controls International Llc. | Control valve flow adjustment device |
JP4296196B2 (ja) * | 2006-11-15 | 2009-07-15 | シーケーディ株式会社 | 真空弁 |
AT505982B8 (de) * | 2007-10-25 | 2009-08-15 | Vse Vakuumtechnik | Ventil f r hochreine medien |
CN103016756A (zh) * | 2013-01-07 | 2013-04-03 | 李江平 | 节流截止阀 |
CN105473920B (zh) * | 2013-07-19 | 2018-03-27 | 斯凯孚公司 | 具有补偿致动器的阀操作器组件 |
CN104676011A (zh) * | 2015-01-16 | 2015-06-03 | 苏州东山防腐仪表阀门有限公司 | 一体式衬氟塑调节阀 |
WO2018053662A1 (zh) * | 2016-09-22 | 2018-03-29 | 沈静静 | 超临界小口径波纹管球面密封锻造截止阀 |
DE102020134025A1 (de) * | 2020-12-17 | 2022-06-23 | Arianegroup Gmbh | Ventil für Fluidleitung mit verbesserter Spindel |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB683387A (en) * | 1949-04-05 | 1952-11-26 | Stanley William Hoskins | Improvements relating to valves |
FR1095150A (fr) * | 1954-03-10 | 1955-05-27 | Vanne d'arrêt pour gaz de pétrole | |
US3204925A (en) * | 1962-05-15 | 1965-09-07 | Montuori Enrico | Valve with nonrotating valve stem |
FR2389058A1 (fr) * | 1977-04-28 | 1978-11-24 | Cnen | Soupape de retenue pour l'emploi en presence de gaz halogenes et dans le vide |
FR2521677A1 (fr) * | 1982-02-12 | 1983-08-19 | Rollot Andre | Vanne |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1374571A (en) * | 1920-02-07 | 1921-04-12 | Charles F Hummel | High-pressure valve |
US1890248A (en) * | 1926-07-02 | 1932-12-06 | Ohio Injector Company | High pressure self-grinding valve |
US1696070A (en) * | 1927-05-09 | 1928-12-18 | Liquo Gas Company | Valve |
US1906313A (en) * | 1929-01-18 | 1933-05-02 | Clifford Mfg Co | Packless valve |
US1892344A (en) * | 1930-12-16 | 1932-12-27 | Huber Peter | Apparatus for dispensing oils and fats |
FR1234306A (fr) * | 1959-05-15 | 1960-10-17 | Perfectionnements aux robinets et vannes | |
US3278156A (en) * | 1965-12-27 | 1966-10-11 | Nuclear Products Company | Bellows valve |
US3491789A (en) * | 1966-07-28 | 1970-01-27 | Nupro Co | Bellows valve |
US3787023A (en) * | 1971-08-05 | 1974-01-22 | Nupro Co | Bellows valve |
FR2184143A5 (de) * | 1972-05-08 | 1973-12-21 | Alsthom Cgee | |
US4166607A (en) * | 1976-10-14 | 1979-09-04 | Hoke, Inc. | Bellows seal valve |
US4513779A (en) * | 1983-08-12 | 1985-04-30 | Kerotest Manufacturing Corp. | Metering valve |
SU1315707A1 (ru) * | 1986-03-27 | 1987-06-07 | Предприятие П/Я В-8088 | Вакуумный клапан |
-
1989
- 1989-05-19 US US07/354,616 patent/US4911412A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-05-16 CA CA002016924A patent/CA2016924A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-05-18 EP EP90305387A patent/EP0400846B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-05-18 JP JP2128975A patent/JPH0379872A/ja active Pending
- 1990-05-18 DE DE69011420T patent/DE69011420T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB683387A (en) * | 1949-04-05 | 1952-11-26 | Stanley William Hoskins | Improvements relating to valves |
FR1095150A (fr) * | 1954-03-10 | 1955-05-27 | Vanne d'arrêt pour gaz de pétrole | |
US3204925A (en) * | 1962-05-15 | 1965-09-07 | Montuori Enrico | Valve with nonrotating valve stem |
FR2389058A1 (fr) * | 1977-04-28 | 1978-11-24 | Cnen | Soupape de retenue pour l'emploi en presence de gaz halogenes et dans le vide |
FR2521677A1 (fr) * | 1982-02-12 | 1983-08-19 | Rollot Andre | Vanne |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1046809A2 (de) * | 1999-04-20 | 2000-10-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fluiddosiervorrichtung |
EP1046809A3 (de) * | 1999-04-20 | 2003-06-18 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fluiddosiervorrichtung |
US8333307B2 (en) | 2009-10-06 | 2012-12-18 | Nordson Corporation | Liquid dispensing module |
US9377114B2 (en) | 2012-04-25 | 2016-06-28 | Nordson Corporation | Pressure control valve for reactive adhesives |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0400846B1 (de) | 1994-08-10 |
JPH0379872A (ja) | 1991-04-04 |
CA2016924A1 (en) | 1990-11-19 |
DE69011420D1 (de) | 1994-09-15 |
US4911412A (en) | 1990-03-27 |
DE69011420T2 (de) | 1994-12-15 |
EP0400846A3 (de) | 1991-02-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0400846B1 (de) | Ventil für Flüssigkeiten | |
US5634486A (en) | Valve assembly with connection between an angularly displaceble member and actuator | |
US3146681A (en) | Plug valve operator | |
AU629600B2 (en) | Gate valve with supplemental actuator | |
US4189950A (en) | Manual control apparatus | |
US4023432A (en) | Actuator having universal-type joint assembly | |
US4285493A (en) | Valve operator | |
US4844407A (en) | Valve override mechanism | |
US4206900A (en) | Valve operator | |
EP2347153B1 (de) | Drehaktuatorhebelvorrichtung mit einer ringförmigen aussparung | |
US5715740A (en) | Combined piston rod alignment and sealing assembly for fluid actuator cylinders | |
US5419237A (en) | Pneumatic actuator for butterfly valves | |
US4080844A (en) | Manual control apparatus | |
US5090658A (en) | Bellows sealed rotary valve and seal assembly | |
US4586538A (en) | Spindle valve for a tube system for liquids | |
US5626054A (en) | Load decoupler | |
JP4362301B2 (ja) | 回転式アクチュエータ、及びバルブ制御方法 | |
MX2011004595A (es) | Casquillos para uso con valvulas. | |
EP0003687B1 (de) | Manuelle Betätigungsvorrichtung | |
US4534235A (en) | Rotary stepper actuator | |
US4456221A (en) | Two piece ball valve assembly | |
US4257714A (en) | Device for coupling a pair of rods | |
EP0868616A1 (de) | Vorrichtung zur übertragung von drehmomenten | |
EP0892203B1 (de) | Gebogene Kurbelwelle für motorisierte Ventile | |
US5374030A (en) | Valve actuating mechanism |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19910819 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19930326 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Effective date: 19940810 Ref country code: BE Effective date: 19940810 |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69011420 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19940915 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
NLV1 | Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20000502 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20000503 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20000504 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20010518 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20010518 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020301 |